The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-13

was resumed to-day, foots up seventy-sx Not
Wilnstandng contrary opinions expressed by the
railroad officials, survey of the wreck early to-
day confirmed the belief that several bodies are
stli under the debris of the smashed engines
ana cars The report yesterday that twenty
DEAD We're at Piper City is denied this morning
Dy the president of the road Three four of
tne wounded carried to Piper City yesterday died
Inere, however. SO that, with the seventy-six on
the coroners list here and those supposed to be
get under the wreck, the estimate of eehty-four
deaths appear to be very close to the actual
number
The horrors of the wreck seemed deepening
early this morning. instead of lessening. Added
to the ptiabls spectacle of the dead and the mis-
cries OF the dying, a stencil sickeningly foul was
issuing from all the numerous places where the
corpses of the victims yet remained. No picture
OF the horrible occurrences Immediately suc
ceeding the accident could equal in revolving de-
tails the scene at the Toledo, Peoria d Western
depot here to-day. The west end of the little
structure is coal-house and lumber-room,
where, promscuously stretched the floor in
the coal and rubbish, were seven unidentified
bodies, blood-stained. bedraggled sheets aud
blankets thrown loosely over each, but affording
little protection from the swarms or flies which
were continuously lowering over them The
awful odor emanating from the bodies effectual-
ly kept the room clear of all but the hardest of
the sti-lingering, anxious or curious crowds.
Two of the victims were women, and the sight
of their faces was one never TO be forgotten.
Sensational features were developed this morn
ing as to the cause of the wreck Rumors were
afioat last night that it due to robbers who
fired the bridge, but little credence given
them. This morning new facts. apparently
showing the catastrophe to be the work of
ganized band. came to light, and the company
find them worthy of serious investigation.
Superintendent Armstrong said to the Asso-
cated Press reporter that the more he inves-
tigated the more it appeared to him that the
bridge had been set fire. The burned grass
in its immediate locality was not OF a
nature that would be likely to admit
of the bridge catching fire from it, He
had observed many thieves at work and had
stopped them while despoiling the wreck of
property and money. Instances of the robbing
of the dead were being brought to his atten tiop
The excursion had been extensively advertised,
and the time it would pass over the bridge was
well known Citizens say that gang of sus-
pcious fellows have been lettering around
Chatsworth for some days Many of these were
found early at the wreck giving more attention
to relieving the bodies of their valuables than
to caring for them otherwise. Train men and
passengers had frequent con Intentions with these
yandals. In one instance Superintendent
Armstrong found a well-known thief in the
depot.room where the properly taken from
the wreck was stored. While people of the town
have done all in their power for the sufferers,
there is a horde of tramps and thieves in this
vicinity who do nothing but carry off anything
they get their hands President Il. +.
Leonard. of the Toledo, Peoria & Western COM
pany, said to reporter for the Times that he
had made careful but necessarily brief investga-
tion of the accident. and could in way
count for it unless the presumption that the
bridge was set fire deliberately by fends for
the purpose of wrecking the train and robbing
family expressed his feelings. President Leon
ard came from Springfield in the afternoon.
companied by Col. John E. Stevens, general
solicitor of the road.